Thursday, February 2, 2012

The 7th Annual African American Seminar will take place on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at the Sacramento Regional Family History Center. This year’s theme is “Unlocking Our Family Treasures” and promises to be the best one yet as it will offer 24 classes in beginning, intermediate and advanced genealogy instruction which will enable those in attendance the opportunity to reconnect with their forgotten ancestors. The classes will be taught by seasoned Genealogists from both the Sacramento and Bay Areas.

The Keynote Speaker is Antoinette Broussard, a noted speaker and author. Ms. Broussard is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a major in English literature and Black studies. Ms. Broussard is also an avid researcher and writer committed to the pursuit and documentation of her ancestral roots. She was the guest speaker for Black Family History Day (February 2011) sponsored by the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California and has been a contributor to their Baobab Journal Tree (Spring 2011). She’s written biographies for numerous other publications including the African American National Biography and the African American National Biography (editor, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Oxford Press 2008). Currently, Antoinette is writing her second book which is a family memoir about her journey in discovering her family’s history from slavery to freedom. Ms. Broussard’s topic at the seminar will be, “The Militant Matron, Dr. Nettie J. Craig Asberry” who was one of Washington states’ civil rights activist.

African American research has sometimes in the past been thought of as challenging because of the issue of the slavery. However, the extensive digitalization of records has now enabled many persons of color to trace their ancestors including those who were enslaved in this country. These records have enabled them to leap right over the obstacle that slavery might have caused in the past.

Karen Burney, one of the Genealogists who will be presenting classes at this year’s seminar has been able to track her family back 7-8 generations and has located many of her slave ancestors on several lines. Last July, she met with and exchanged family history with one of the descendants of the Slave Owners that owned some of her ancestors. She relates that, “it was a powerful encounter” and the two remain connected and committed to sharing and helping each other document their intertwined family histories.

Many genealogists feel that reconnecting with one’s ancestors can be a life-changing event in a person’s life. Locating the people that came before you and learning their stories and how they contributed to their families and country can cause an individual to be more appreciative of the strides that have been made and the opportunities that did not exist during their ancestors’ lives.

Individuals are encouraged to attend to learn the tips and tools to “unlock” their Family Heritage and the legacies of their ancestors that can be a “treasure” to both present and future generations.

The seminar will take place on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm at the Sacramento Regional Family History Center located at 2745 Eastern Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95821. Participants are encouraged to register early by March 3, 2012 to ensure entry into their desired classes. However, individuals will be able to register on the day of the event at 7:30 am to 8:30 on a first-come basis.

The cost of the seminar is $20.00 which includes registration and syllabus materials. Lunch will also be offered for an additional charge of$6.50.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Today, I am in Morehead City, North Carolina. The purpose of my visit is to reconnect with family as well as do family research. Since my arrival, we welcomed a new member of the family, my grand-niece, baby girl, Sellars. She is very beautiful and cuddly and is charming everyone who graces her presence already. On today's agenda was the Carteret College Library. I love this place. You can literally look out the window at the Atlantic Ocean view. What better way to cuddle up with a good book while occasionally gazing up at the blue on blue ocean and sky! During my trip , I will be making my way down to Robeson and neighboring Counties of North Carolina and then Charleston and Darlington county SC where Brayboy, Pressley, Jefferson, Hines and other family migrated from. Also, ancestral home of the Witherspoons and Henry Marshall whom I spoke about frequently in this blog. Anyway, hopefully this trip will help unravel many mysteries and answer lingering genealogical questions that I have had about my ancestry.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

About a week ago, my heart broke. It was when I heard the news that one of my favorite singers of all times passed away. The legendary, Teena Marie, born Mary Christine Brockert passed away in her sleep on December 27, 201o. I was shocked and saddened but not all together. It is because 2 days before her actual passing, I learned of the earlier passing of Marvin Isley. Upon learning this, I thought back to the last time that I seen the Isleys and remembered that it was in a sold out concert in Concord, CA with Teena Marie. Upon remembering this, a wave of saddeness came across me but for some reason my sadness was for Teena even though she had not yet passed yet. Strange but true.

Anyway, the world has lost a wonderfully gifted yet understated talent and heaven has gained a new angel to join the choir of all choirs. This woman had one of the most amazing voices that I have beared witness to! If any of you had ever had the pleasure of seeing and hearing her live, then you know exactly what I am talking about. Her recorded voice on albums and CD's although awesome too did not compare to her live voice! This woman had some pipes on her that could rattle wall and her high soprano notes could break the finest crystal glass.

Known as "Lady T," "Vanilla Child," and the "Ivory Queen of Soul," she ranked amongst the great female singer and her voice transcended race. She became well known for her work with Rick James who was one of her early mentors and their duet, "Fire and Desire," one of my favorites.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Parish Courthouses in Louisiana can be invaluable for retrieving records pertaining to your family history. They often house and maintain records including but not limited to marriages, divorce, wills, conveyance records, bills of sale, property records. Below is a list of all the Parishes in Louisiana.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Louisiana Public Libraries are an excellent resource for tracing your family history. Most of the libraries offer genealogical resources including free assess to normally paid websites such as Ancestry.com. However, most require that you perform your search at the Library and not from home or elsewhere.

To view a list of the Public Libraries in all of the Louisiana Parishes, you can click the following link or assess by clicking on the link on the right sidebar.